Every NHL team wants a competitive training camp, and this may be the most competitive yet for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The Toronto Maple Leafs not only have a vetern roster with many established players, but they also have an influx of up-and-coming players who are trying to win or secure jobs.
We can assume 6 of the opening night roster spots are guaranteed, in Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander, John Tavares, Max Domi, and Matthew Knies. Now, obviously, the Leafs are highly unlikely to healthy-scratch players like David Kampf and Calle Jarnkrok, but either one could lose their job and be shipped out of town before the season starts.
That leaves Bobby McMann, Calle Jarnkrok, David Kampf, Connor Dewar, Pontus Holmberg, Ryan Reaves, newly signed Nick Robertson, Alex Nylander, Easton Cowan, Fraser Minten, Nikita Grebyonkin, Alex Steeves, and potentially Max Pacioretty competing for the last 6 spots. Here’s how I predict the lineup to shake out.
Predicting the Toronto Maple Leafs opening night lines
Line 1: Domi – Matthews – Marner
The chemistry between Max Domi and Auston Matthews last year was elite.
Max was recovering and making plays with the puck better than I’ve ever seen him. It helps that he’s got the best goal scorer in the world to feed it to. Mitch Marner has also been an elite playmaker, especially when paired with Auston Matthews for the better part of the last 8 seasons.
Marner is now coming into the 2024-25 season needing a new contract. A player who’s put up 639 points in his 576 career games now has a chip on his shoulder, and something more to prove. Furthermore, Mitch and Max played for the London Knights in junior together for two seasons, solidifying the chemistry trifecta.
This top line pairs the best goal scorer in the world with two elite playmakers, with elite chemistry between the three, and some added pressure on Marner to perform. Why wouldn’t this be the best offensive line in hockey? (stats hockeydb.com).
Line 2: Knies – Cowan – W. Nylander
Readers might gripe at my prediction of Easton making the team out of camp, but they just haven’t watched him play enough. Easton Cowan has shown elite playmaker potential in Junior, putting up 62 assists to go along with his 34 goals in 54 games last year for the OHL Champions the London Knights.
He isn’t afraid to get physical, isn’t afraid to play defence, and isn’t afraid of the big moments. Furthermore, it’s been reported he’s put on a bit of summer weight this offseason, positioning him to have the strength to handle pro-level play.
Matthew Knies has proven worthy of top 6 minutes. In last year’s series with Boston, he was one of the Leafs best players, winning just about every puck battle he faced, and making high IQ plays with it from there. I pair Knies and Cowan with the perennial 40 goal scorer in William Nylander. Once again, two playmakers playing with one elite goal scorer. I predict this line to be a force offensively, and very sound defensively.
Line 3: McMann – Tavares – Robertson
The few times we saw John Tavares on the third line last year, it opened up the offence for the Leafs, letting the lines roll better knowing the third line can play a factor. I thought the McMann – JT – Robo combo was the best third line last season. They’ll put the puck in the net, Bobby and JT can be relied upon defensively, and I bet Nick Robertson improves defensively to hold onto his roster spot.
Line 4: Pacioretty – Kampf – Dewar/Reaves
Extra: Holmberg / Traded: Jarnkrok. AHL: Minten, Grebyonkin, Steeves, A. Nylander
There’s likely to be a carousel here with Holmberg/Reaves/Dewar/Pacioretty rotating in and out based on matchups. I just think they’ll want to keep Kampf for his defense, physicality, and faceoffs, Dewar for his defense, and Reaves for his physicality and locker room presence.
Reaves also made some efficient, sharp decision plays in his limited ice time down the stretch last year. Pacioretty’s not as fast as his younger self, but can still produce, win boards battles, make high IQ plays, and be shuffled up the lineup in case of injury. Holmberg’s got speed, flashes of high IQ, decent defense, and a < $1M contract, making him favourable to stay with the team.
I predict that Jarnkrok loses out because of the value in recouping his $2.1M cap hit. Further, I predict Alex Nylander to get the first Marlies call up, and produce at a clip that sends someone else either down or out.